A few rain drops fell on eggs, still ok to eat?

[Old Ben]

Probbly a dumb question. But some water got on the eggs as I was collecting them(it was raining.) maybe 2-3 drops on the average egg. I cleaned them off when I got inside, but I was reminded that the same thing had happened a few days ago and I hadn’t cleaned the eggs off and left them in the nest box. (I was hoping a hen was going broody, but she wasn’t so I removed about ten eggs from the box.) If it had just sat there and allowed to dry, would it still be fine to eat? I’ve heard that getting eggs wet isn’t good for them and can cause bacteria to get inside the egg. I figured it was fine, but better safe than sorry.

 

[SueT]

A lot of people wash their eggs in water, so I don't worry about raindrops. Eat them right away or refrigerate if you are concerned.

 

[FluffTheDuck]

Probably! Raindrops on the egg are just like cleaning an egg with water. I think you're fine!

 

[FluffTheDuck]

A lot of people wash their eggs in water, so I don't worry about raindrops. Eat them right away or refrigerate if you are concerned.

Sorry, didn't mean to copy your answer. As soon as I posted my reply it refreshed and I saw your answer.

 

[PirateGirl]

I eat duck eggs that have been sitting in mud puddles. I will say that if you are worried, just be sure to refrigerate them and then make sure you cook them thoroughly, so no eggs with runny yolks from the ones that got wet. You should be just fine.

 

[Old Ben]

Sorry, didn't mean to copy your answer. As soon as I posted my reply it refreshed and I saw your answer.

Lol don’t worry. Two opinions that agree just gives you more credibility. I thank you both for replying, you were both very helpful!

 

[aart]

Probably! Raindrops on the egg are just like cleaning an egg with water.

Well, not really.
Eggs washed thoroughly under warm running water with a good hand scrub is much different than a few raindrops.

A few raindrops shouldn't matter, any wetter tho and I thoroughly wash then refrigerate.
I do my utmost to keep rain off eggs, I don't like washing eggs and rarely do so.

 

[paneubert]

Since it hasn't been directly/explicitly mentioned yet, the reasoning behind not wetting/washing eggs is that "washing" them removes the protective bloom and can expose the pores in the egg to a greater extent than they were exposed when the bloom was present. Exposed pores cause a higher chance of microbes and bacteria entering the egg and spoiling it. Hence why store bought eggs (washed/bleached) need to be refrigerated while homegrown eggs can sit on the counter (if not washed).

 

[chickens really]

I don't wash eggs and the real dirty ones are tossed to my Dogs. All eggs I collect are in the refrigerator upon collecting. I leave the protective bloom on them to extend shelf life in my fridge.

 

[paneubert]

I don't wash eggs and the real dirty ones are tossed to my Dogs. All eggs I collect are in the refrigerator upon collecting. I leave the protective bloom on them to extend shelf life in my fridge.

Do you worry at all about the cold from the fridge constricting the egg contents and pulling in any nasties? Cold constricts, heat expands, etc...

I suppose the policy of tossing the real dirty ones to the dogs would limit the risk.